http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-manny-hermida-deal/

If nothing happens, it'll be weird atmosphere in Boston for awhile.

The Yankees, frustrated by their attempts to land Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn, are "kicking around" the idea of adding Indians righty Paul Byrd, according to major-league sources.

As of 12:30 p.m. ET, the Yankees and Indians had not yet exchanged names, but a deal could come together quickly if the Yankees decided to pursue it.

The Indians likely would not seek much in return from Byrd, who also has drawn mild interest from the Rockies. For the Yankees, Byrd would be a potential upgrade over right-hander Darrell Rasner.

i don't care what it costs, i'm not really interested in paul byrd. well, i suppose if he's replacing snacks pontoon, but even that just seems like an exchange of advanced mediocrity ... pass.

I would prefer Byrd to Ponson, but then again I'd prefer just about anyone or their grandmother to Ponson.

Who do you believe?

The Make A Wish Kid, rides again!!!

http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/st/archives/2008/07/trade_confident_1.html

Sounds to me then as if the Sawx feel they have the Marlins/Pirates hooked, and are trying to get more by making them think they're ready to walk away from the table.

4 if they want to "kick around" paul byrd that's fine - but it is cruely to animals.
if the upgrade over ponson is only to mediocre (such as byrd) - what's the point?
just give kennedy another shot or aceves in a week or so when he gets his pitch count up a bit.

10 wishes do come true!

just about 2 hours until we know about manny!

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8398506

Apparently Farnsworth was the key to the entire bullpen. He had the best 'raw stuff'...

:P

Gammons looks depressed that the Red Sox wont be able to trade Manny.

The eighth inning is the most important inning of a baseball game.

Does anyone know if maybe Ken thought Kyle wore #42 and runs in from the bullpen to 'Enter Sandman'...?

They do have something for the "Insiders", don't they?

At least people seem to be more on board with recognizing the horror of the Sox trading for Kemp

Since all the Ramirez talk started, I've had two theories on why the Red Sox are floating his name out there and heating up the trade talks:

1) To placate the Boston media and leave Manny swinging in the wind.

2) To c***block the Rays from getting Jason Bay.

Think about it. The Rays' biggest weakness is their offense, and they're specifically after a RH bat. With Holliday likely staying in Col, Bay is BY FAR the best option out there. So what do the Red Sox do? Engage the Pirates in three-way trade talk right up to the 4 pm trade deadline, keeping them occupied and making it nearly impossible for the Rays to (even try to) get Bay.

Meanwhile Reds owner Bob Castellini is so wedded to Adam Dunn that the Rays may not get him either.

Presto! The Red Sox have successfully prevented the 1st place team in the AL East from addressing their biggest need.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=mlb_trade_deadline

33 As much as I hate it being within the division, it would make me happy to see Bay go to the Rays, just to spite the Sox. I think the Yankees can overtake the Sox, and to see them out of the playoffs in favor of the Rays would be delightful.

I'd also rather see Bay go to Boston because he is a wash with Manny at best, but it prevents TB from improving.

I still think Theo would like to make this deal. But if he can't, your considerations are a happy side effect.

33 37 Ditto. I mean, really I don't want Bay to go anywhere but the Yanks, but it would bother me a lot less if he went to the Rays. And lets be honest, the Rays really SHOULD be able to land him, they have the prospects galore and he would help them a lot. Not trading for Bay is pretty inexcusable, and this is about as good a position they can expect to be in in terms of standings, strength of the other teams etc.

Yeah, this is going to be a real problem.

44 the bartender from the bada bing answers their phones now.

But really, as I said, I would prefer Bay either not move or go to the Yanks. In the end, I don't think he's a difference maker no matter where he goes...

I saw it in the Yankees clubhouse store and was interested but I forgot the info as soon as I got home...

Reason I ask is because I finally found out from my mom the first game I'd ever gone to, and I'd like to perhaps print out the ticket from that particular game..

MLB.com's Bill Chastain with the scoop - the Rays have acquired Jason Bay for Reid Brignac and Jeff Niemann. The Rays haven't confirmed it yet though. I wonder if Bay would DH for the Rays.

What a jerk that guy is.

65 Doesn't bother me.

Pavano does lurk around the corner.

That would pretty much lock up the AL East for them, no?

Bay to TB is not that big a deal. I think a bigger deal will be them bringing up Price for the stretch run and the playoffs. He could be '02 K-Rod-like in short relief.

A motivated Manny looking for next year's contract while still on the Sox is going to hurt the Yankees much worse than if Bay went to the Sox.

I'm not sure what to think. But Cashman has done the best that he can, without screwing the team for the future.

We'll have to see how everything shakes out on the field.

75 And if Cashman was able to move Pavano before the August 31 waiver trade deadline?

Hey, he's DFA'd Igawa, which is basically getting rid of him for nothing, and he traded Farnsworth and got value. Anything could happen now, right?

Ed Wade

or

JP Riccardi

I'll go with Wade, but its close. Toronto is only 6.5 back in the WC. Houston is 9.5 back, with more teams to leapfrog.

Cashman (on phone): You hate Manny Ramirez.
Theo (on phone, in a trance): I hate Manny Ramirez.
Cashman: You want Manny Ramirez to be a Yankee.
Theo: I want Manny Ramirez to be a Yankee.
Cashman: You want nothing in return for Manny Ramirez.
Theo: I want nothing in return for Manny Ramirez.
(a voice in the background interrupts)
Voice: Theo! Who are you talking to? Hang up that phone right now!
Theo (into phone): I have to hang up. [hangs up]

Cashman: Fuck. That almost worked.

BC: "You need another left-handed pitcher."
TE: "I need another left-handed pitcher."
BC: "Kei Igawa would make an excellent starter."
TE: "I'm not that hypnotized."

Word from Rob Neyer's chat is that Bay to the Rays is not a done deal yet.

"Rob Neyer: (3:46 PM ET ) Okay, the truth -- according to MLB.com 17 minutes ago -- is that the framework's in place but the teams haven't agreed on exactly which prospects would become Pirates. So I guess we can file this under TENTATIVE.

Troy: Stop all this Bay to the Rays talk! ESPNews just reported that both teams heavily deny its done and are still in talks.

SportsNation Rob Neyer: (3:47 PM ET ) Well, if News (as we call it) says it, it must be true."

Not only is Wade's premise delusional, but he addressed it by getting two very bad pitchers. I call that game, set and match to Wade.

As for Neimann, he's been a consistent starter for Durham for two years now, and has a high strikeout rate. But with David Price and Wade Davis ready to crack the majors soon, he probably was expendable, in a Ross Ohlendorf kind of way.

You figure with the offensive talent the Rays have on hand, versus the Pirates, that Niemann might pitch worse but get more run support - and thus have more wins.

The Yankees talked about trading infielder Alberto Gonzalez to the Nationals for pitcher Yadier Peralta. No word if the deal was done.

I think this guy was in the Red Sox minor league system. Don't think he's ever pitched in the majors. Doesn't seem to make a difference either way.

...also Wade Davis got lit up for a few solo homers. Maybe DeFelice told them what was coming.

Eep.

The Red Sox traded Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers late Thursday afternoon, SI.com has learned.
Jason Bay is headed to Boston as part of the deal, SI.com has learned.

Pirates outfielder Jason Bay is headed to the Red Sox. The Pirates will receive Andy LaRoche and right-hander Bryan Morris from the Dodgers and outfielder Damien Moss and releiver Craig Hansen from the Red Sox.
The Red Sox will pay all of the approximately $7 million remaining on Ramirez's contract.

Who knows what is true?

Now Manny can frolic in relative ambiguity with money and no pressure of ever having to win.

The Sox get rid of their sore player; they give up two good prospects but expendable ones. They have to pay a bunch of cash, but they owed it to Manny anyway.
The Dodgers lose LaRoche, but they get the compensatory picks when Manny walks. They get Manny's bat for two months, and they pay nothing.
The Pirates get a boatload of prospects.

Oh, and of course, Manny gets the two option years out of his contract.

Nice trade, everybody wins.